Fire In The Water

by Janice Ross

  "You're fucking kidding me, right?"

  "I'll allow the language to slide this time, but no, I'm not fucking kidding you. I asked a simple question–"

  "One that could lead us down a dark road. Why the hell should her race become an issue for you?"

  "Wait one damn minute, Rhys. Her race is not an issue for me. Hell, to say such a thing would imply that I'm some kind of bigot." Rupert's face maintained a rouged look as his eyes shot all around us. He began speeding up the words with excessive language. "I've hired several African Americans at my firm, and gladly have friends who are as well. I've supported their rights over the years through donations and such..."

  While he was trying to justify his own shit, I mentally picked apart the foolishness in front of me. "In order to prove how very pro-black you are–"

  "You wait right there, Rhys. Who's sounding odd now? Wouldn't it be more politically correct to call their kind African American?"

  "You realize that you've dug your way into a septic tank, right? Rupert, you're so far down in there that I'm going to pretend you have been cut off from reality." And that easily, I maneuvered past his dumbfounded gaze to exit the room. Then I halted. I couldn’t move or go any further. It would be one thing to walk clear out of the door and forget this conversation ever took place. But it did.

  "I should've known the day would come when you'd disgust me enough to say to hell with everything."

  Rupert's lips and pointed gaze began twitching in a nervous sort of way. His face burned a filthy shade of red. The lines along his lips tightened. "You must not realize who you're talking to, boy!"

  "You see, Father, you don't get to do this to me any longer. I'm a man without your support. This bullshit is old. Your money is dated. I've acquired enough of my own to walk away and never look back." I might not have been a businessman like him, but I knew enough about investing. I had accounts outside of our family business. My decisions in the stock market, at a time when trading might've been volatile, served me well. The aggressive strategies all paid off. I could be free of Rupert Colburn. My insides popped to finally come to terms with these daddy issues. I prepared to leave again, for good this time.

  "You don't walk off so easily, Rhys. No one ever does."

  No one ever does...

  "Sarah?" Something snapped in my head. A sharp, piercing pain dug. It confiscated every single portion of my body. "What did you do?"

  Rupert shrugged. He displayed a larger than life composure that scared the holy shit out of me. A feeble attempt was made to hide a sly smile.

  "What did you do, you bastard? Did you kill them?"

  The breeze from his hustle to close the door swiped at my face. Muscles tensed, I flexed around in preparation for anything. Hell, my insides sparked with anticipation. Absolutely anything was possible at this point.

  "You think that little of me to consider I would take the life of those less relevant than me? Than us?"

  "You're delusional."

  "Understand this, my son, I did what was required to secure our future." Rocking his head full circle, Rupert made shuffled steps to rest on the edge of my desk. "I cared for them. She was a great mom. The kids were energetic. Made me miss your younger years."

  The words were right there at the tip of my tongue to remind him that he hadn’t been a constant part of those years either. I wouldn't. Not now.

  "Everything was the way it should have been until you found her. Then she wanted to make demands on me and my time. She made idle threats about exposing the affair. None of that swayed me, not until she tried to blackmail me. I worked damn hard to earn what I'd acquired. No devil from hell would ever change that."

  "So ..."

  "I called her bluff. Put the three of them out of the condo."

  "Where did they go?"

  His shoulders widened.

  "They're dead now."

  "I know."

  Beyond his brash words and cold body language, I watched a man unmoved by the loss of life, the death of a woman he must've laid with over and again, enough to impregnate her. The end of his son and daughter, both of whom never had the chance to grow into the sort-of love hate relationship we'd developed.

  Hate was a strong word, especially if it was being used to describe a parent. Dislike, on the other hand, came nowhere near my feelings towards Rupert Colburn. For all the times I'd faltered and stumbled back into his domain…

  …never again.

  XLV.

  Rhys

  ~

  Once in the car, I dialed Lisle's number in hopes of reinforcing my faith in family. I could not or would not hold back. The minute she answered, I voice my frustrations over the comments about Chanel. I still needed to process everything else. She listened, interjecting sounds from time to time.

  After nearly fifteen minutes she stated, "Son, you must understand where he's coming from."

  If I were to die in that instant, it would have been of shock. Never in my twenty-six years had I believed my mother to be against another group of people, simply because of the color of their skin. "You're siding with a bigot, Lisle?"

  "Son, your father is anything but a bigot. He's a realist. Please understand, although he's lived in New York his entire life, his parents and grandparents were complex. They come from a time when the world wasn't fair."

  "And your point," I tossed out, only then realizing I'd been driving in circles. I'd quite literally gone around the block to stop in front of the building again.

  "Rhys, they instilled quite a bit of tainted views in him from the time he was born. Although that's not who he is today, there's still a part of him that might hold onto some of his past."

  "So you're essentially saying it's okay for your husband to be a racist?"

  "Not fair, Rhys. He's the furthest thing from being racist. When he first brought your issue to my attention..."

  For once, Lisle lost me. My insides hallowed out, leaving an empty space. I didn’t feel a damn thing besides pure emptiness. "You're part of this too?"

  "Don't make it seem like such a wrong thing, Rhys."

  "The two of you are so unhappy that you're willing to filter your bullshit onto me."

  "Wait a second."

  "No, to hell with waiting a second on anything. You and Rupert have majorly screwed up your relationship. And now you want to rob me of any hope for better." My fingers gripped onto the wheel like I was in the final fight for life. As I prepared to shred the connection I'd held with the only woman I once believed worthy of my love, rushed breaths pulsed through my lungs.

  "We've always had a remarkable bond. Now, because of this stranger, you're willing to throw away our relationship?"

  "I love you, Lisle. You're a good mother, yet this new side you are showing me is something different altogether." I held the air in my lungs, allowing it to settle in preparation of my next words. "Chanel is amazing on levels I never knew existed."

  "Amazing sex does not overshadow true love."

  "You're right, but she's reached beyond the physical."

  "You know what, Rhys, we'll back away for now. Get this thing out of your system."

  These words cut like hell. Chanel wasn’t some thing. She wasn’t a piece of ass, nor a chick from another race I'd eventually get out of my system. Chanel Bissett was the woman I intended to have by my side for the rest of my life on earth and beyond.

  "You're different, Lisle. My happiness would've been your central concern before now."

  "And it is."

  "Do you know I can't find one positive attribute in Rupert? Yet this is the man you're choosing to side with."

  "I'm siding with our family."

  "You're siding with a dictator, a devil, an asshole, a killer, a–"

  "Killer?"

  "Incidentally." I wasn’t sure how to go about setting up the scene. In my mind, I still had to process the bitter taste of my father's deception and coldness.

  "Rhys, let it go."

  Right then, without ano
ther word, I knew my mother had known all along.

  XVI.

  Chanel

  ~

  Only a handful of clients were waiting when I rounded the corner from my office. Some stared straight ahead while others leaned forward with fingers shading their eyes. A gentle melody filtered through the speakers, highly appropriate for the setting. We'd always hoped to provide a serene layout.

  Can I say how eager I was to run into the arms of the only man I'd ever fully offered myself to? And he was here.

  "Give me a couple minutes." I leaned into the office beside mine. There were a half a dozen of us, not including the administrative staff. Everyone pitched in, however.

  Rhys entered behind me. He moved like the world was pressed along his back. After shutting the door, I turned into his embrace. "What's wrong?"

  "If it wasn't for you, I would pack my shit and leave."

  "Only me?"

  "Only you."

  "Not even your mother? Not even her? Talk to me."

  "I don't want to bring your day down, baby."

  "I'm a grief counselor. My day is filled with lows."

  As I'd done with all my clients, I remained silent while Rhys exploded. He kept going until he was empty. We ended up on a nearby secondhand mustard colored leather couch.

  "Seems like you have a choice to make," I stated.

  "I do." He buried his head in my lap. My red pencil skirt had ridden halfway up my thigh. The sleeves of my white cotton button down were already rolled up, even before midday.

  "They're your family." I chose the words with care. Rhys was mine, but I needed to know his heart was fully engulfed in what we were building.

  "As a Colburn, I'm half of the man I'm meant to be by dwelling in the shadow of my family name." His arms encased my sides, then slipped behind my back to cradle my body in a firm embrace. "I’m so disgusted by everything they've done."

  "They want to protect you from the outside world."

  "They want to keep me in a world I wasn't meant to be a part of. One I doubt I ever belonged in. Life shifted the day I first set eyes on this beautiful bronze princess now staring at me like the world be damned."

  "Who me?" I tossed out to quell the mood.

  "The choice is an easy one," he replied wholeheartedly. His hand found the back of my neck and his fingers curled up to meet my nape. He tangled them into the thick curls falling past my shoulders. In a short space of time, I'd come to know this man in a way I could only dream of knowing anyone outside of myself. "You make the choice an easy one."

  Our lips sealed an unspoken bond. Every ounce of completion was mine as I fed on his succulent flesh. My tongue glided through the opening to find a home buried within his mouth. I kissed him as if this would be our finale. He, in turn, returned the affection. Our hands and bodies sought out more–more than the superficial, more than what lived outside. A burning fire ignited when we first connected, one which had only intensified over time.

  I yanked away from him. I was afraid of loving and losing again, though it might not be in the same way, and it most certainly had better be with a guy that was true to me alone.

  "You're willing to walk away from this life," I began. A mouthful of cries constricted my words. I pulled away to gaze into the wild orbs of his soul. "Am I worth that much to you?"

  "Oh god, how could you not know? None of this is worth a damn to me if you're not in my life." At the mere thought of continuing on without him by my side, a strong force crashed against my insides. It was kind of like getting punched in the stomach when it was least expected. "I'm a man, in love with a woman I don't ever want to lose."

  XVII.

  Rhys

  ~

  Chanel was more beautiful than I could’ve imagined. I’d seen her before, but never like this–purely vulnerable. She had the perfect little nose, beautifully luscious lips, and a gorgeous smile that held me captive. But her body, shit. Perfect! And her hair carried a refreshing scent. I needed more than a little. She lay naked, spread wide across my chest after hours of us exploring each other. I think it was more than three to be exact. She was exhausted to the point of gently snoring. Her lips were barely parted as air rushed out. I woke up with a heavy feeling weighing me down.

  Our situation hadn't been an easy one, and would be even more difficult to get out of. Chanel brought me back to a time of my past, when loyalties appeared to run deep and good times even deeper.

  The thing I’d tried to keep hidden came back. I shook my head and exhaled. Living in the present with the girl of my dreams, I trailed my fingers along Chanel’s shoulders. Her darker-toned skin was soft, perfect. I slid lower, positioning her petite frame over mine. She fit perfectly on top, in all the right areas. Days like this, minus the drama, were meant to live on. I didn’t want to leave, but knew I could only stay so long. A multitude of issues needed to be addressed–Prissy's interference and the full truth behind Maggie's story.

  "Chanel," I exhaled into the top of her hair. My breath was warm, blowing out a heavy, passionate fire.

  She stirred in response. Her lips crashed down on the meaty part of my chest. She trailed kisses upon kisses across and up, until our lips collided.

  She was no longer my innocent Chanel. She no longer held back. Most importantly, she believed I was meant to be hers now.

  How did I know?

  In the way she kissed me wholeheartedly, the way she opened up for me. In return, I couldn’t and wouldn’t disappoint her. When she spread her legs in preparation to mount me, my arms snaked around her hips. She shot straight up, arched her back, took me in while rocking wildly.

  Her moans bounced off the hollow walls. She tossed her crinkled hair. Her palms gripped and squeezed at her breasts as they fit fully into each palm.

  "Promise me," Chanel cried out. Her question hung wide in the air. "I need to know...that this isn’t just a thing for you, Rhys, because...ummm, it’s not just a thing for me."

  I thrust my hips up to meet her downward grind. We fed off the passion, the hunger. "No negativity. I’ll make it better. I’ll fix this." I allowed her muscles to massage my flesh. "I promise." For me, it was much more than a promise. It was my vow to Chanel. No matter what, I needed her. Whether or not the lost lives began with my actions, none of it had been intentional. She had to know, God, she had to. I intended on proving all things to her because she was now my life.

  That night, I gave away my heart, my soul...my all, and there was no getting them back.

  ~

  I never knew I was empty until I found something to fill in the dark regions. It was a fast-burning consumption. I wasn’t talking about a spur of the moment type of thing. It was all consuming. Flawless. I'd found the best damn woman the world had ever produced.

  Chanel's little frame fit against mine. Neither of us were wearing anything more than a thin layer of sweat from our bodies connecting. Reaching over the side of her curvaceous frame, I pressed my nose to her neck and inhaled. Not only was she a type of rich bronze like chocolate from Lebanon, her skin proved to be just as delectable.

  "Ummm," she moaned while I fed on her neck and shoulders.

  "You're supposed to be asleep."

  "Then stop waking me up," she moaned.

  "Stop being so easy then."

  "Me, easy?"

  We both laughed. There had been nothing easy about getting here. Our paths had been plagued with bumps and ditches. We might've fallen apart without the slightest hope of redemption, yet here we were.

  I waited several minutes for Chanel to fall back to sleep. My arms slipped from around her silky frame, making sure to not awaken her like before. My sweats were thrown across a nearby chair at the far end of the room. While I was flooded with this powerful level of serenity and love, I couldn't help but think about the things that once were. I was broken, now I was whole. I’d been confused, but now as certain as I'd ever be.

  I eased the bedroom door open enough to slip through without waking up Chanel. The
floorboards creaked, but I kept moving. If I was able to give her an ounce of happiness, I would sacrifice my own comfort. I’d made a promise to help bring closure to a twisted affair. My word would be my bond.

  Squeezing my palms together, I rubbed quick and harsh. The floor was cold and air passing through the hallway swiped at my bare upper limbs. After puffing in and out, I pulled my cell from the sweats. I was standing there with regret looming inside of me. Since love now dictated my actions, I dialed the number of a person I'd sworn off a long time ago. Seeing the name in lights across the screen invoked a bitter taste in my mouth.

  "Hello?"

  "Maggie?" My voice filtered through the empty hallway. I was squeezing on the phone, fingers covering the sides entirely until I began shaking.

  "Who is this?"

  "It's Rhys."

  "Rhys, why are you calling me?" Waves of annoyance passed through her words.

  "I need you to do something for me."

  "Are you serious, Rhys? When's the last time we spoke? Or the last time I saw you?"

  "Maggie, get over yourself. You owe me this much, dammit."

  "Owe you, Rhys? My life is hell–"

  "Not on account of me."

  "I pretty much lost everything. My future has been shattered, my heart broken. I don't know whether I'm coming or going. I'm no good to anyone."

  "Maggie, I'm not trying to be an asshole, but you and Zach left a hole in the life of someone important to me."

  "Zach is gone, Rhys. He's dead. There's no coming back from that. There's no rectifying that shit. There's no getting even. There's only a hole with an open wound." By the time the tirade ended, she was screaming into the line and sobbing uncontrollably.

  My mind urged me to hang up, to allow Maggie to grieve. I knew it would have likely been the right thing to do, but I’d also made a promise to Chanel. I was meant to fix this. I had to soothe out the rough patches so she no longer felt lost.

  "Maggie, look, I'm no longer upset over all of that other stuff. What we had ended before either of us were willing to admit it." We should've known better. No way in hell should either of us have stayed in that relationship. I squeezed my eyes shut and fought to mask the breathing. This was the last thing in the world I wanted to be doing, especially with the fully naked woman of my dreams waiting to be taken advantage of in the best of ways.